Winnie makes comeback in South African Politics

- Sent Using Google Toolbar

excerpt from:

BBC NEWS | Africa | Winnie makes comeback in ANC vote

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has emerged as the top candidate in the vote for the national executive committee (NEC) of South Africa's governing party.

African National Congress (ANC) members voted in the 80-member NEC after sacked Deputy President Jacob Zuma defeated President Thabo Mbeki as party leader.

Some of Mr Mbeki's closest allies failed to make it onto the NEC.

In his first public comments since his defeat, Mr Mbeki said he did not plan to step down early as president.

"I would expect the government to serve its term until the elections in 2009," Mr Mbeki said at a news conference at government headquarters in Pretoria .